Bishop Paprocki offers Pontifical High Mass in D.C.

After the March for Life on 22 January 2015 in Washington, D.C., a pontifical High Mass was offered by His Excellency Thomas John Paprocki, bishop of Springfield, Illinois, at Saint Mary Mother of God church.

The music, including Palestrina's Missa Brevis, Gregorian chant propers and several polyphonic motets, was provided by the schola cantorum of the Lyceum School in South Euclid, Ohio.

Organized and funded by the Paulus Institute, the Mass was the third annual one in honor of the late Miss Nellie Gray, foundress of the March for Life (and parishioner of Saint Mary's). The vestments, brand new, were purchased for the Mass along with other sets that will be used for future pontifical Masses in the region.

Several hundred communicants packed the church, which was standing room only. Many in the congregation were young adults visiting for the March, including Juventutem chapters from Michigan, Miami, Boston, Chicago and Washington, who hosted a reception across the street after the Mass, attended by the bishop, several priests and seminarians and dozens of young, traditional Catholics.

Courtesy of the Lyceum School, here are some photos from the pontifical High Mass: